2023 NFL Mock Draft | Round 3

Last updated May 5 2023 at 02:52 ET.

1 (64) | Chicago Bears | Joe Tippman, OC, Wisconsin

Here we are at Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. This is the final round for which I will be doing player-writeups prior to the draft kickoff at 8pm on Thursday, but you can read my live draft thoughts throughout the weekend HERE, and make sure to check out my Jets mock draft thoughts HERE and their full draft analysis HERE.

The Bears use another pick to help protect Justin Fields. Tippman could end up a massive steal here, as he has the potential and work ethic to be the best center in this class.

2 (65) | Houston Texans | Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

Since they don’t need to protect the QB much (Richardson uses his superhuman powers to walk through defenders like a ghost — he posted an absurd 3.97 sacks ghosted per snap at a pickup game after the combine) the Texans focus on defense to start Round 3. Keeanu Benton played 4 years for the badgers. He’s an experienced, long-armed tackle who recorded 11 hurries, 2 QB hits, and 6 sacks in 2022.

3 (66) | Arizona Cardinals | Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA

If Zach Charbonnet doesn’t impress in the NFL he will need to suffer through some terrible, irony-themed Alanis themed headlines over the next couple of years. He’ll use that as motivation in Arizona. Charbonnet will eventually take over for the perennially overrated James Connor, who in fairness did a solid job last season in the receiving game after Edmonds departed.

4 (67) | Denver Broncos (from IND) | Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma

The Broncos finally make a pick this year. Their first two went to Seattle in the Wilson trade. Wilson absolutely needs to turn things around this season if the Broncos want to compete at any point in this decade. Mims should help him. His agility, speed, and ability to make plays compensate for his small size (5’11”) . Mims has a 129″ vertical (combine) that allows him to play taller than he is.

5 (68) | Denver Broncos | Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State

Denver follows up its first 2023 selection immediately with pick 3.68. They use it to select EGDGE Zach Harrison out of Ohio State. Harrison had 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception in his final year with the Buckeyes. He’s nonsensically fast for a defensive lineman (4.41 40), but needs to get off the snap more quickly and improve his sack numbers for the NFL.

6 (69) | Los Angeles Rams | Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State

This might be late for Cody Mauch, but I think he will do well in Los Angeles. Most of what you hear about him during the draft will be about the marketability of his missing teeth. (I wonder if he saved them — that seems like a sort of weird things someone would spend a ton of money for on eBay or wherever people spend money on ridiculous auctions now.) Mauch can play either tackle, but might be switched to the inside for the pros. His skills and versatility, and his name, could help him slide into Round 2.

7 (70) | Las Vegas Raiders | Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State

The Raiders re-signed Curtis Bolton for LB depth, but could use more help in the front seven after losing several players this offseason, including Clelin Ferrell to the 49ers. Henley played six seasons in college but is still somehow only 23 (he turns 24 in later November). In 2022, during his only year at Washington State, he had 106 total tackles (12 for loss), 4 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. He also added a pick after having 4 interceptions in 2021 with Nevada, where he spent his first 5 years in college.

8 (71) | New Orleans Saints | Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami

The Saints fill one of their biggest needs at with the 71st pick. Tyrique Stevenson could have gone late in the second round, so he provides excellent value here for New Orleans. Stevenson played two years at Georgia before transferring to Miami in 2021 for his second sophomore year (COVID hysteria, remember). There, he totaled 68 tackles (4 for loss), 3 interceptions, and a very solid 11 passes defended across two seasons. He’ll need coaching up to learn to wrap up rather than bouncing off, and to help with some holding issues.

9 (72) | Tennessee Titans | Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston

The Titans get some receiving help for new quarterback C.J., whom they acquired in a trade-up I projected back in Round 1. All the Titans really have at WR is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who could be a decent WR 3, and Treylon Burks, who has WR1 potential if he can stay on the field. Nathaniel Dell will help to fill out that room. His numbers with Houston over three years were outstanding. He tallied 228 receptions for 3,155 yards and 32 TDs, including a 109-1,398(12.8)-17 line in 2022 to build on a 90-1,329(14.8)-12 line in 2021.

10 (73) | Houston (from CLE) | Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati

Houston doubles down on WR in Round 4 after having selected Jalin Hyatt in the second. Richardson is going to need as much receiver help as he can get, and mercenary Brandon Cooks is now in Dallas (via a trade that Dallas won, decidedly). After 30 receptions for 520 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2021 with Cincinnati, Tyler Scott stepped up his play in a big way in 2022, compiling a 54-899(16.6)-9 line in 12 games.

11 (74) | Cleveland Browns (from NYJ) | Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor

Siaki Ika was an early second round pick in my mock drafts at one point. Issues with his weight and conditioning drop him all the way to the mid-third and he lands in Cleveland. His combine performance was a disaster, with his scores in the agility drills all falling below the 16th percentile, and he maunders a 5.39 second 40. Ika played two years at LSU before transferring to the Big 12 in 2021. after playing only 2 games as a first-year sophomore (COVID hysteria). The move seemed to help. In his two seasons with Baylor he had 48 total tackles (6 for loss) and 3.5 sacks. He also defended 3 passes. The Browns generally run a 4-3, so it remains to be seen how Ika fits into Cleveland’s scheme, but they need a big body up front, and at 335 pounds Ika definitely provides that.

12 (75) | Atlanta Falcons | Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama

In the third round, Atlanta gets an offensive tackle to protect new quarterback Hendon Hooker starting in 2024, and Desmond Ridder, probably, for now. This could be a bit early for Tyler Steen. He played three years at Vanderbilt before moving to Alabama in 2022. He gave up 11 sacks across those four seasons, though only 2 at left tackle protecting Bryce Young his senior year. He could use some help with his run blocking, and he doesn’t look quite as agile on film as his numbers would seem to suggest he is. The Falcons have a bigger need at guard than at tackle at the moment, though, and Steen should be very solid if he starts on the inside for a couple of years before moving back out if he has success.

13 (76) | New England Patriots (from CAR) | Henry To’oto’o, LB, Alabama

Where is a wide receiver for the Patriots? They certainly need one after losing their only real player at the position, Jakobi Meyers, this offseason. They passed on WR at 1.14 after the Packers jumped ahead of them to grab Smith-Njigba, and New England was put ahead of the Jets and in position to select Darnell Wright, who might end up being the best left tackle of the class. They passed on WR again in the second to begin fixing their secondary. Now they pass again in the third, opting to select Alabama linebacker Henry To’oto’o instead. I’ve had To’oto’o mocked to the New England since mid-season of 2022. He just seems like a Patriot to me. With this pick, New England has filled most of their biggest holes. I have them taking WR Eli Ricks from Alabama with pick 107 (Round 4).

14 (77) | Los Angeles Rams (from NE via MIA) | Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M

A fourth running back comes off the board. The Rams have Cam Akers, but he hasn’t proven to be reliable. They could stand to use another back even if Akers were. Devon Achane played three years at Texas A&M rushing for 2,376 yards on 369 attempts (6.4) and 21 TDs. He followed up a 130-910(7.0)-9 season in 2021 with a somewhat less efficient 2022 campagin (196-1,102(5.6)-8) but those numbers came in just 10 games. Achane was also a threat out of the backfield, with 65 receptions for 554 yards (8.5) and 5 TDs in total.

15 (78) | Green Bay Packers | Sydney Brown, S, Illinois

Remocking the Packers draft wasn’t really that difficult. Sure, their first pick changed, but I and almost everyone else have had the Packers picking at 42 or 43 for weeks, ever since Rodgers said he wanted to play for the Jets, and even before then. Maybe Green Bay will regret passing on Washington and LaPorta in the second, but I liked Musgrave there because he raises fewer concerns. With their three top needs (TE, WR, EDGE) having been addressed in the first two rounds, the Packers move on to the secondary. They are pretty well set at cornerback, but safety remains a priority. Brown played five years (C.H.) at Illinois was outstanding across the board (except in 2020, when he appeared in only six games), He ended with 320 tackles (10 for a loss), 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 16 passes defended. He added 10 interceptions, including 6 INTs in 2022. Two of his 10 picks were for six.

16 (79) | Indianapolis Colts (from WAS) | Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina

The Colts maintain a balanced approach to this draft, selecting cornerback Darius Rush with their first pick of the third round, after already having found a quarterback and an EDGE in rounds 1 and 2. Rush played sparingly for his first two seasons at South Caroline, but broke out when given a chance beginning in 2021. Over his final two years, he had 7 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 15 passes defended, and a forced fumble. In many of my mocks I had him going later than this to the Jets, but 79-80 is the consensus spot for Brown, and that’s where he happens to land in my draft as well.

18 (81) | Detroit Lions | Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Darnell Washington’s tumble down the draft board finally ends at the 81st pick. This is probably about as you will see Washington fall on anyone’s draft board; I have him lower than anyone else I’ve seen, for reasons I’ve been discussing as the other TEs came off. It’s not a question of talent with Washington. While his receiving numbers (45-774(17.2)-3) compared to the truly elite tight ends in this class, he’s massive and an absolutely elite blocker, arguably the best blocking TE available in any round. He helped prove his doubters, such as me, wrong with an excellent performance at the combine. Washington will almost certainly go sooner than this, perhaps even toward the end of the second round.

19 (82) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford

The Buccaneers missed out on the top 5 QBs after passing on Hendon Hooker in the second round. Tanner McKee is a solid choice, though, and better than anything Tampa Bay has currently at the position. In three years at Stanford, McKee had 473 completions on 748 attempts (63.2%) for 5,366 yards and 28 TDs against 15 interceptions. He could start right away for Tampa Bay.

20 (83) | Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

Another third round TE is selected, this time by Seattle. With nothing at the receiving tight end position outside of Colby Parkinson and the relatively disappointing Noah Fant, who came over in the Seahawks steal that was the Russell Wilson trade, Seattle could use another body. Kraft took off in his final year with the Bunnies, hauling in 65 receptions for 773 yards (11.89) and 6 TDs for 2022.

21 (84) | Miami Dolphins | Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina

Thanks to Miami’s idiotic tampering, this is only their second pick of the draft to this point. Their first was spent on IOL John Michael Schmidt, which satisfied one of the Dolphin’s two biggest needs. This selection fills the other. Zacch Pickens played 43 games for the Gamecocks from 2019-2022. He totaled 131 tackles (11.5 for loss), 7.5 sacks, and 4 passes defended. He also recovered two fumbles. Pickens is only an average athlete with mediocre speed, but still moves well and can cover multiple gaps.

22 (85) | Los Angeles Chargers | Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State

The Chargers fix their WR corps with pick 3.85. Mike Williams finally seems to have broken out, but Keenan Allen is toward the end of his career. Jaylen Reed with infuse the receiving game with youthful talent. Reed started at Western Michigan before transferring to Michigan State in 2020, where he played three years. He had a bit of a down year in 2022 (55-636(11.6)-5) but was outstanding in his junior year (59-1026(17.4)-10). Los Angeles will be looking for a return to that form. In total over four years Reed’s line was 203-2,866(14.1)-18. He also scored a rushing TD in 2021.

23 (86) | Baltimore Ravens | Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

This is just the Raven’s second pick so far in the 2023 Draft. They have only five total selections across all seven rounds. At pick 1.22 they chose Zay Flowers over Jordan Addison and Quentin Johnson, I move I obviously support and have already discussed. (Note that WR remains a need despite the OBJ signing, and despite the fact that the Ravens re-signed Lamar Jackson around 4PM ET, just four hours before the start of the draft — that signing is hugely important not only for the team as a whole, but for Baltimore’s draft strategy over the coming days.) Blake Freeland will help keep Jackson upright, which is crucial given Lamar’s injury history, one so bad that he did not even make the trip to their 2023 playoff game. This is about the right range for Blake Freeland. He played four years at BYU. his first two at right tackle and his last two at left. In total he allowed only two sacks. Freeland is incredibly fast and athletic for an offensive lineman.

24 (87) | Minnesota Vikings | Jartavius Martin, S, Illinois

Minnesota took WR Jordan Addison in Round 1 with their only selection so far in the draft. Here in the third round they address their secondary. Jartavius Martin played five years (C.H.) at Illinois. His best season there was his last, during which he had 64 total tackles (3 for a loss), a sack, 3 interceptions, and an outstanding 11 passes defended. He added 2 forced fumbles. He’s not a great tackler, but he’s a willing one, and as I’ve said before that is the most important part for a prospect. Minnesota will need to address the cornerback position later in this draft, which I have them doing at 4.119, selecting Kyu Blu Kelly out of Stanford with a pick they acquired from Detroit.

25 (88) | Jacksonville Jaguars | Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse

The Jaguars continue to improve their secondary after selecting a safety in Round 2. In Round 3, Jacksonville takes cornerback Garrett Williams out of Syracuse. Over three years with the Orange, Williams tallied 152 total tackles (9.5 for a loss), 2 sacks, and 4 interceptions to go along with an impressive 21 passes defended and a forced fumble. He also returned a pick for a TD in his first season. This would be a great land for Jacksonville, as Williams could easily go as early as the second round.

26 (89) | New York Giants | Luke Wypler, IOL, Ohio State

The Giants have a need at running back with Saquon’s future in New York still unclear. In the meantime they improve their offensive line to help create holes for whoever carries the ball for them going forward. Luke Wypler is a talented center who might go as early as the mid-second round, so the Giants will be thrilled to take him here. His measurables are strong, and his athletic ability and speed are elite for the position. Wypler played sparingly during his freshman year with the Buckeyes, but snapped the ball almost 1,700 times over 2021 and 2022. He allowed only one sack during that time.

27 (90) | Dallas Cowboys | Kendre Miller, RB, TCU

Ezekiel Elliott is gone. There’s a small chance that he returns to Dallas on a smaller contract, but the Cowboys seem content to move ahead with Tony Pollard, who broke out when finally given the chance last season and was franchised by the Cowboys for just over $10M. Kendre Miller is an underrated RB prospect. Many project Miller to go in the 4th, but I like him here to the Cowboys later in the 3rd. Miller was solid during his first two seasons in TCU, but exploded in 2022, rushing 224 times for 1,399 yards (6.2 YPA) and a crazy 17 touchdowns. He added 16 receptions last season for 116 yards. He could stand to get stronger and improve his blocking for the next level.

28 (91) | Buffalo Bills | Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas

Back-to-back running back picks, with the Bills following New York at taking Roschon Johnson from Texas at 3.91. Buffalo has three RBs on the roster already, but none of them is particularly impressive. Damien Harris is a third-round castaway from the Patriots. James Cook had a decent rookie season in 2022, with 89 attempts for 507 yards and two TDs, but it’s not clear how much the second-rounder will progress. Finally, they have Nyheim Hines, who somehow is still just 26, but operates almost exclusively as a receiving back. Johnson was overshadowed At Texas by Bijan Robinson (who wouldn’t have been), but he put up very good numbers in his own right. Over four years he rushed 392 times for 2,190 yards (5.6 YPA) and 23 touchdowns. He added 56 receptions for 420 yards and 3 receiving TDs. It will be exciting to see what he can do as a feature back in the NFL.

29 (92) | Cincinnati Bengals | Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State

The Bengals still need secondary help even after taking cornerback D.J. Turner a round ago. Safety Jammie Robinson played two seasons at South Carolina before transferring to Florida State for two more. He’s quite an experience player, with 47 games total. He tallied 318 total tackles (15.5 for loss), 7 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 16 passes defended, and a sack over that time. He’s showed improvement with each year overall, though he had just one pick in 2022. Robinson possesses just below average speed, he’s quite small and has a very short reach. Still, he’s massively strong, and hits much harder than most guys his size. 3.93 is in about the right range for Robinson, and he lands in a good spot with the Bengals, to say the least.

30 (93) | Carolina Panthers (from SF) | Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Carolina traded away Christian McCaffery to the 49ers before the deadline last season. McCaffery is almost a singular talent, but I didn’t hate the move for the Panthers. They can’t move forward with just Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard, though. Sanders is 26 this year; we’ve already discussed how RBs peak around age 24.5. I don’t think the contract Carolina gave him (4 years, $25M) was too much money. $6.25M/year seems about right for Sanders. The contract is simply too long, and the Panthers have no clean exit available to them should Sanders begin to break down. Outside of his rookie season, Sanders also has offered little in the passing game. Chubba Hubbard meanwhile has shown nothing. Tyjae Spears spent four years at Tulane, and was their primary started in 2021 and 2022. Over those two seasons, Spears had 358 carries for over 2,350 yards and 28 TDs. He caught 41 passes for 401 yards and another two scores.

31 (94) | Philadelphia Eagles | Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn

The Eagles lost Miles Sanders this offseason and need to find a long-term replacement. They did sign Rashaad Penny, but due to numerous injuries Penny has never had more than eleven carries in a season. (That’s not true, but it seems that way.) They also have Gainwell, who has been a disappointment, and Scott and Sermon, but the former is barely mediocre and the latter is on his way to being labeled a bust. Tank (I wish that were his real name) Bigsby had 540 rushing attempts over three years at Auburn for 2,903 yards ad 25 TD, with 62 receptions for an additional 448 yards.

32 (95) | Kansas City Chiefs | Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh

The Chiefs need a running back, too. Clyde Edwards-Hellaire didn’t work out. 7th rounder Isiah Pacheco did well for them as a rookie, helping them to the playoffs with 830 yards rushing and 5 TDs, and helping them win the Super Bowl with 197 yards and a TD in the playoffs. He isn’t much of a receiving threat, though, and it remains to be seen whether Pacheco can repeat those numbers. Israel Abanikanda played in 30 games over three years with Pitt and finished his college career with 390 attempts for 2,177 yards (5.6 YPA) and 28 TDs. He was incredible last year when he ran for 1,431 yards and 20 TDs at 6.0 YPA. Abanikanda also totaled 354 receiving yards and 3 receiving TDs on 38 receptions for the Panthers.

33 (96) | Arizona Cardinals | A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest

A.J. Green is gone (he was done anyway). Robbie Anderson is gone (also probably done). Christian Kirk is gone (definitely not done, and somehow playing up to the absurd contract he was handed). And DeAndre Hopkins might be gone soon, too. The Cardinals need a wide receiver. Despite barely playing his first two years at Wake Forest, Perry over four years totaled 171 receptions for 2,662 yards (15.6) and 28 TDs. In 2021 and 2022 alone he had 152 receptions for 2,389 yards and 26 TDs.

34 (97) | Washington Commanders | Chandler Zavala, IOL, NC State

This is the Redskins’ first offensive selection of the draft, and it isn’t one that will excite many fans. It’s what Washington needs, though. Chandler Zavala didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school. He began as a guard at a Division II school, and transferred to NC State ahead of the 2021 season. He started there immediately, but played in only 5 games due to a season-ending back injury. in 2022, he started 13 games at left guard and performed at an extremely high level. Zavala did not allow a sack during his time with the Wolfpack. Washington is a good landing spot for him. Zavala will be 24 when the season starts in September.

35 (98) | Cleveland Browns | J.L. Skinner, S, Boise State

Oh, Cleveland does have a secnd pick in this draft. Their first round pick went to Houston for Deshaun Watson (on whom I still have not given up) and their second round pick went to the Jets for Elijah Moore, a pick New York made to gain extra capital to use for Aaron Rodgers. The Browns took an overweight defensive lineman with their first pick of Round 3. Here they opt for a tall and sleek defensive back. J.L. Skinner spent four years at Boise State. He finished with 208 tackles (9.5 for loss), 7 picks, 12 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles. He’s very aware on the field and plays well against the run. Skinner could have gone 15-20 picks earlier than this, so he’s a bargain for Cleveland at 3.98.

36 (99) | San Francisco 49ers | Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State

Thanks to compensatory picks, whatever you might think of them (I’ll be posting an article on compensatory picks after the draft), the 49ers absurdly end up with three of the final four picks of Round 3. San Francisco can certainly use them, since their first rounder went to the Saints, who used it to select Jahmyr Gibbs as a replacement/contingency plan for Kamara. Their second round pick ended up in Chicago. With their first pick in the draft, the 49ers take Ji’Ayir Brown, a safety out of Penn State. Brown played three years there and left with 153 tackles (9.0 for a loss), 10 interceptions, 9 passes defended, three forced fumbles, three recoveries, and a TD. He barely played during his first season, but started 26 games across 2021 and 2022. I could see Brown going much earlier than this.

37 (100) | Las Vegas Raiders (from KC via NYG) | Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU

The Raiders grab more defensive help, this time in the secondary, taking cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson out of TCU. Hodges-Tomlinson played four years with the Frogs. He saw only 11 games over his first two, but as a junior and senior he played in a total of 27. For his college career, Hodges-Tomlinson had 125 tackles, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 36 passes defended, and a touchdown. The Raiders still need to address the safety position, which I have them doing in Round 4, when they select Chris Smith from Georgia. Hodges-Tomlinson is another player I had mocked to the Jets months ago, though much lower than this. At this point he could go 15 picks or more sooner, perhaps to the Colts.

38 (101) | San Francisco 49ers | Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU

This is the first of two consecutive compensatory picks for San Francisco, and their second compensatory pick of the round. Kayshoun Boutte is, to use a term the MSM really like, a “polarizing prospect”. Boutte had an outstanding freshman year, putting up a line of 45-735(16.3)-5 over ten games. He then suffered a terrible leg injury in 2021 that limited him to just six games. When he returned in 2022, allegedly at full strength, he disappointed, with just 48-538(11.2)-2 in 11 games. Heading into last season he was projected as high as the early second round. Now, because of the risk involved with him, he barely slipped into the 3rd. It’s a risk the 49ers can afford to take, because compensatory picks don’t even really count.

39 (102) | San Francisco 49ers | Cory Trice, CB, Purdue

With the 49er’s second consecutive socialist selection, and their third of the round, they go secondary and draft Cory Trice, a cornerback out of Purdue. Trice is yet another C.H.-related five year starter. He spent all five of those season at Purdue, compiling 106 total tackles (4 for loss), 5 interceptions, 15 passes defended, and 2 defensive touchdowns. I view Trice as an underrated prospect. Most projections have him at least a round lower than this, but Trice is a fast enough corner with great tackling skills, that adding some weight could only enhance. He along with Ji’Ayir Brown, taken just three fake picks ago, will help fill in the San Francisco secondary.